I came across some interesting snakes on Jeju while birding, but unfortunately I found most of them dead or dying on the road. I'm eager to see what scaled critters are about on my new island! I'm no reptile expert, so I've identified these reptiles based on whatever (sometimes sketchy) information I could glean from the internet. Snakewatching! The Black-headed Snake is interesting in that it was only first discovered in Korea (on Jeju!) in 1981. Too bad I found it right after it had been hit by a car. I believe it bit itself as it was dying. The Ussuri Mamushi Pitviper is a deadly little viper that I almost stepped on once or twice while birding! Apparently the Japanese call it the 'Three-step Snake', due to its potent venom. My Korean birding friend Young Ho told me that, in spite of this venom, it doesn't inflict many fatal wounds on people because its fangs are further back in its relatively small mouth. A gorgeous animal.

About Me

Howdy! I'm a birder from Montreal who has been working and birding in South Korea since 2005. I've lived on Jeju and Geoje Islands, and have birded at a diverse range of sites in South Korea. After drifting around Europe for a bit, I'm back in Suncheon, Korea for one last hurrah. Ergo sum ego avem. (contact me at mattpoll24 at gmail dot com)